Device for synchronized feeding of tickets, cards and the like

ABSTRACT

A device for sequentially feeding tickets, cards and the like to a sewing machine wherein bag opening edges are sequentially closed, in order to sew a card together with the opening edges of each bag, includes a card store, conveying means to position each card in a sewing relationship with a corresponding bag opening in the sewing machine, means for sequentially transferring the cards from said store to said conveying means, and programming means to control the operational sequence of the device in order to exactly position each card and bag opening, independently from the time intervals between the bags as fed to the sewing machine.

United States Patent 1 1111 3,805,716 Cerioni Apr. 23, 1974 [54] mzv c z FOR SYNCHRONIZED sE Dm 3,498,244 3/1970 Blanchette 112 104 x 3,616,093 10/1971 Teed 112 104 x [75] Inventor: Giuseppe Renzo Cerioni, Salerno,

Italy [73] Assignee: El Cu S.p.A., Milan, Italy [22] Filed: Nov. 15, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 306,864

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 18,1971 ltaly 31263/71 [52] US. Cl. 112/11 [51] Int. Cl D05b 13/00 [58] Field of Search 112/11, 104, 113

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,313,433 3/1943 Golden 112/104 3,008,436 il/l961 Golden ll2/l04 3,156,206 ll/l964 Hall et al. ll2/lO4X 3,338,192 8/1967 King 112/11 OF TICKETS, CARDS AND THE LIKE Primary Examiner-Alfred R. Guest Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack [57] ABSTRACT A device for sequentially feeding tickets, cards and the like to a sewing machine wherein bag opening edges are sequentially closed, in order to sew a card together with the opening edges of each bag, includes a card store, conveying means to position each card in a sewing relationship with a corresponding bag opening in the sewing machine, means for sequentially transferring the cards from said store to said conveying means, and programming means to control the operational sequence of the device in order to exactly position each card and bag opening, independently from the time intervals between the bags as fed to the sewing machine.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 7 PATENTEU APR 2 3 I974 sum 1 HF 2 DEVICE FOR SYNCHRONIZED FEEDING OF TICKETS, CARDS AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device adapted to be associated with machines and equipment wherein bags, essentially soft boxes and the like are closed by sewing their opening edges, and more particularly with machines adapted to automatically perform a whole operational sequence of successive forwarding of the containers to be closed, wherein the opening edges thereof are engaged and stretched in a position adapted to have them closed by sewing, and finally the container opening edges are conveyed to a sewing machine.

Such machines are already known and disclosed in prior Patents of Applicant eg. U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,180. It will be sufficient therefore to recall herein that the bag opening edges (the term bag comprising any other container that can be dealt-with and closed by such machines) are forwarded in a well stretched and pressed condition to an operating station of a sewing mechanism, wherein the opening edges are sewn by so called chain stitches. Moreover, such machines are preset in such a manner as to sequentially receive the bags to be closed at different time intervals and consequently at different space intervals.

In many cases, and particularly when it is difficult to have easily readable inscriptions and indications printed on the bag materials, it is suitable to have each bag affixed with labels, cards or other indicating means (e.g. means to specify the type and/or quantity of contents, the manufacturers name, possible addresses and the like), such labels or cards being usually made of suitably sized flat cardboard.

Therefore it appears as desirable and advantageous to use the sewing operation in order to simultaneously affix such cards to the bag opening edges, in a position that is particularly suitable to ensure an easy reading thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide a device that can be structurally and operatively associated with sewing machines of the type and for the applications as stated above, such device being adapted to ensure, in suitable phase conditions, the feeding and positioning of cards designed to be individually affixed to single bags or other containers by the same sewing operation carried-out to close the opening edges thereof.

The device essentially comprises a store, wherein a plurality of cards can be housed and then individually delivered; means to individually take-up and advance the cards to a position close to th opening edges of related bags, in order to ensure that each card is fed along with the bag edges to the sewing machine operating mechanism, means to sequentially withdraw the cards from said store and to deliver the same to said takingup and advancing means in order to transfer the same in a sewing position with the bag opening edges, and programming means designed to ensure that the card withdrawal, taking-up and forwarding steps be automatically carried-out in a cycle automatically ending when each card reaches a sewing position and automatically started by the insertion of sensing means adapted to detect a bag approaching the sewing mechanism, in order to sequentially perform the card operations in phase coincidence and in synchronism with the bag closure operations, independently of the time interval between operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan and sectional view as taken on the horizontal plane I-I-I-I of FIG. 4, showing an embodiment of the device according to this invention, wherein different merely structural details are left out.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are fragmentary views of the same device in two successive steps of its operative cycle.

FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the device, as taken on different planes approximately indicated by IV-lV-IV- IV in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic view of a programming means, along with related connections to pneumatically operated components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The components of a bag sewing machine, that are related with the application and operation of a device according to this invention, are diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1. More specifically, said FIG. 1 shows the downstream portion of means adapted to engage and prepare the opening edges of bags or containers that are then fed to the sewing machine (usually by a conveyor band, not shown). Such downstream machine portion usually comprises conveyor belts S running in opposite directions and showing closely approached parallel sections, between which well stretched and levelled bag opening edges are forwarded in a direction A toward a sewing mechanism C, of an already well nown type, wherefrom each bag is ejected in a direction E after a sewing closure operation on the opening edges thereof, together with a simultaneous affixing operation of a tag or card, which is fed and positioned in required phase conditions by a device according to this invention.

Such tag or card, as shown in FIG. 1 by a dotted line B, is supplied and positioned by a feeding system 10, comprising a pair of counter-rotating conveying belts l2 and 14 adapted to convey therebetween single cards or tags at a linear speed corresponding to that of bag opening edges (not shown), such feeding system having a suitably shaped outlet 16 to deviate each card in a required position parallel and close to the bag with the aid of an opposite guide and sliding means 18.

In order to ensure that the card is fed sidewise to the bag opening edges in required synchronism and phase conditions, the card positioning operation, as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 1, represents the last step of a complete operating cycle as programmed and performed by a device according to this invention, and that is started in synchronism with a forwarding operation A of each container. Such a synchronized starting operation is controlled by the detecting action of a micro-switch 20, having a feeler arm extending in the path of the bag opening edges to be closed while advancing in direction A, such arm positioned at a point located at a suitable interval D from the point whereat the last operational step is performed, in order to ensure a time interval sufiicient for performing all previous steps the cycle from the moment wherein an electric signal is transmitted by microswitch 20 (in order to close an electric circuit that starts motor means of the device) to the moment wherein last operational step is started.

The proper device according to this invention comprises a structural assembly 22, adapted to support different operating mechanisms that are driven by an electric motor (not shown and that can be replaced by a mechanical connection to the bag closing machine) through transmissionmeans, e.g. a transmission chain 24, and suitable reduction gears. The motor is also connected to conveyor belts l2 and 14, that may be continuously operated, as they do not influence the program and performance of sequential operative steps.

The motor means is connected with different device mechanisms by a clutching means, as e.g. an electromagnetic clutch 26 of a well known type, which is energized by said microswitch 20, and de-energized by a second microswitch 28 adapted to be operated at the end of each operating cycle end by a cam 30, as will be described in more detail below. All electric circuits and components are pre-set in an already known manner, in order to insure that the stopping of motion at the end of each cycle will coincide with the return of the various element to their starting position, wherefrom a new cycle can be started by a subsequent signal, as transmitted by microswitch 20.

Associated with structural assembly 22 is a store 32, wherein a plurality of cards B, can be housed and then withdrawn. The store can be suitably inclined in order to progressively inch the cards merely by the action of gravity, e.g. by means of a pusher 34, suitably supported and guidedby rails 36.

A programmed and synchronized transferring operation of single card from store 32 to said belts I2 and 14 of feeding and positioning system 10, is carried out by a pneumatic device 38 having suction means 40 that can be temporarily engaged with the card lying in the lowermost position within the store. The withdrawal operation of the card is ensured and made easy by air blown downwardly directed from an overlying perforated pipe 42. To perform the transfer operation, a first sidewise motion L is programmed and sequentially imparted to move device 38 into'contact with the lower' most card (see FIG. 2), and to thereafter device 38 to its starting position (see FIG. 1) to carry a card into alignment with said belts I2 and 14. Then a further longitudinal motion T is imparted to the same device 38, whereby said card (as indicated with B in FIG. 3) is inserted between belts I2 and 14 and finally left therebetween.

As it can be readily appreciated, the above stated motions, as well as the operations of pneumatic device 38 and blower pipe 42 are to be performed and respectively started and stopped according to a pre-set program that is carried-out during a 360 revolution of a shaft 44 which is driven through electromagnetic clutch 26. Shaft 44 carries a plurality of suitably shaped and directed cams (as diagrammatically shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and the action of which is as follows:

Cam 30 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) operates microswitch 28 adapted to control the end of the operating cycle end.

Cam 46 operates a valve 48 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of a pneumatic circuit adapted to control the suction action of pneumatic device 38.

Cam 50 operates a valve 52 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of an air feeding circuit to blower 42.

Cam 54 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4) mechanically controls the sidewise motions L of pneumatic device 38.

Cam 56 (see FIGS. 1, 3 and 4) mechanically controls the longitudinal motion T of the same pneumatic device.

These pneumatic operations can be obtained e.g. by means of a pneumatic circuit as diagrammatically shown in FIG. 5. Which comprises an inlet duct 60, connected with a suitable source of compressed air and wherefrom two outlet ducts 62 and 64 extend. Compressed air is then fed to blower 42 through duct 62 when a valve 52 in said duct 62 is open.

Duct 64 that is controlled by a valve 48 is adapted to feed compressed air, in the valve opening position, to the inlet opening 66 of a Venturi tube system 68 or the like. The system 68, when operated, produces a vacuum in a branch pipe 70 connected with suction means 40 of pneumatic device 38. The valves are operated by related cams that are designed and positioned in such a manner as to cause an air to be blown from pipe 42 synchronously with the withdrawal of a card by the pneumatic device, and respectively the application and maintenance of a vacuum to the suction means of the same device from the time of the start of the withdrawal of a card (see FIG. 2) till the time of the positive card insertion between belts 12, 14 (see FIG. 3).

One or more throttle valves adapted to suitably rate the applied pressures and vacuums, can be fitted in the pneumatic circuit ducts.

In order to impart motions L and T the pneumatic transfer device 38, the body thereof is supported at the outer end of a longitudinally movable arm of a telescopic 'means 72, pivotally fitted on a pin 74. Further, device 38 is pivotally connected to the end of a longitudinally movable arm of a second telescopic means 76 which is pivotally fitted on a pin 78 and directed crosswise to the former arm. Second telescopic means 76 can be operated by cam 56 through a tappet and cam follower 80 in order to impart longitudinal motion T to the body of pneumatic device 38, as it can be appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 3.

The sidewise motions L of pneumatic device 38 are imparted thereto by cam 54 that controls a lever 82 connected to first telescopic means 72 by a connecting rod 84. The action of this mechanism can be clearly appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 1 and 2. Suitable return springs 86 and 88 ensure that the telescopic means and thus also the body of pneumatic device 38 be brought back in their starting positions, as shown to FIG. 1.

Obviously this invention can be carried-out in many different embodiments according to different constructions, operation and application requirements,'without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim: I

1. In a device for individually sequentially feeding labels to a sewing machine for sewing together open edges of containers and for simultaneously sewing one of said labels onto each of said containers; and wherein said device comprises supply means for storing a plurality of said labels, a feeding system means for supplying said labels one at a time to said sewing machine at a position adjacent one of said containers at the edges thereof to be sewed together, and suction operable means for sequentially removing said labels one at a time from said supply means and delivering each thus removed label to said feeding system means;

the improvement wherein:

said suction operable means comprises a pneumatic device having suction gripping means thereon for selectively gripping and releasing one of said labels; first motion imparting means connected to said pneumatic device for selectively moving said penumatic device toward and into gripping contact with the lowermost of said labels in said supply means, in a first direction substantially perpendicular to said lowermost label, and for thereafter moving said pneumatic device in a direction opposite to said first direction to a position wherein the thus gripped lowermost label is aligned with said feeding system means; and second motion imparting means connected to said pneumatic device for selectively moving said pneumatic device in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction and substantially parallel to said labels, and for moving said gripped label into said feeding system means.

2. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said first motion imparting means composes a first arm connected at one end thereof to said pneumatic device and longitudinally slidable at the other end thereof in a first telescopic means, said first telescopic means being pivotally mounted about a first pivot, and first cam means mounted for rotation and having cam surface means operatively connected to said first telescopic means for pivoting said first cam, said first telescopic means and said pneumatic device about said first pivot for moving said pneumatic device in said first direction; and wherein said second motion imparting means comprises a second arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to said penumatic device and longitudinally slidable at the other end thereof in a second telescopic means, said second telescopic means being pivotally mounted about a second pivot, and second cam means mounted for rotation in synchronism with said first cam means and having cam surface means operatively connected to said second telescopic means for pivoting said second arm, said second telescopc means and said pneumatic device about said second pivot for moving said pneumatic device in said second direction.

3. The improvement claimed in claim 2, further comprising detector means positioned in a path of movement of said containers toward said sewing machine for detecting the presence of one of said containers and including first switch and drive means for initiating rotation of said first and second cam means, said detector means being positioned in said path a predetermined distance from said sewing machine to insure that said one container and the respective label reach said sewing machine simultaneously.

4. The improvement claimed in claim 3, further comprising second switch means positioned to be actuated for stopping rotation of said first and second cam means at the end of an operational cycle of said device.

5. The improvement claimed in claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises a shaft supporting said first and second cam means, a drive system operatively connected to said shaft, and an electromagnetic clutch interconnected between said shaft and said drive system and connected to said first and second switches for respectively transmitting and interrupting rotation of said drive means to said shaft.

6. The improvement claimed in claim 2, further comprising a pneumatic system in communication with said pneumatic device and operable to create a vacuum therein; first control value means for selectively creating a vacuum in said pneumatic device; and third cam means positioned for selectively opening and closing said first control valve means.

7. The improvement in claim 6, wherein said pneumatic system further comprises blower means positioned at said supply means adjacent said lowermost label for directing air thereagainst to aid the removal thereof; second control valve means for selectively directing air through said blower means; and fourth cam means positioned for selectively opening and closing said second control valve means.

8. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said feeding system means comprises a pair of counterrotating conveyor belts having closely adjacent sections moving in said second direction from a first, labelreceiving end of said sections toward a second, labeldischarging end of said sections; and curved guide outlet means positioned adjacent said label-discharging end of said sections for receiving said labels therefrom and for aligning said labels with said containers. 

1. In a device for individually sequentially feeding labels to a sewing machine for sewing together open edges of containers and for simultaneously sewing one of said labels onto each of said containers; and wherein said device comprises supply means for storing a plurality of said labels, a feeding system means for supplying said labels one at a time to said sewing machine at a position adjacent one of said containers at the edges thereof to be sewed together, and suction operable means for sequentially removing said labels one at a time from said supply means and delivering each thus removed label to said feeding system means; the improvement wherein: said suction operable means comprises a pneumatic device having suction gripping means thereon for selectively gripping and releasing one of said labels; first motion imparting means connected to said pneumatic device for selectively moving said penumatic device toward and into gripping contact with the lowermost of said labels in said supply means, in a first direction substantially perpendicular to said lowermost label, and for thereafter moving said pneumatic device in a direction opposite to said first direction to a position wherein the thus gripped lowermost label is aligned with said feeding system means; and second motion imparting means connected to said pneumatic device for selectively moving said pneumatic device in a second direction substantially perpendicular to said first direction and substantially parallel to said labels, and for moving said gripped label into said feeding system means.
 2. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said first motion imparting means composes a first arm connected at one end thereof to said pneumatic device and longitudinally slidable at the other end thereof in a first telescopic means, said first telescopic means being pivotally mounted about a first pivot, and first cam means mounted for rotation and having cam surface means operatively connected to said first telescopic means for pivoting said first cam, said first telescopic means and said pneumatic device about said first pivot for moving said pneumatic device in said first direction; and wherein said second motioN imparting means comprises a second arm pivotally connected at one end thereof to said penumatic device and longitudinally slidable at the other end thereof in a second telescopic means, said second telescopic means being pivotally mounted about a second pivot, and second cam means mounted for rotation in synchronism with said first cam means and having cam surface means operatively connected to said second telescopic means for pivoting said second arm, said second telescopc means and said pneumatic device about said second pivot for moving said pneumatic device in said second direction.
 3. The improvement claimed in claim 2, further comprising detector means positioned in a path of movement of said containers toward said sewing machine for detecting the presence of one of said containers and including first switch and drive means for initiating rotation of said first and second cam means, said detector means being positioned in said path a predetermined distance from said sewing machine to insure that said one container and the respective label reach said sewing machine simultaneously.
 4. The improvement claimed in claim 3, further comprising second switch means positioned to be actuated for stopping rotation of said first and second cam means at the end of an operational cycle of said device.
 5. The improvement claimed in claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises a shaft supporting said first and second cam means, a drive system operatively connected to said shaft, and an electromagnetic clutch interconnected between said shaft and said drive system and connected to said first and second switches for respectively transmitting and interrupting rotation of said drive means to said shaft.
 6. The improvement claimed in claim 2, further comprising a pneumatic system in communication with said pneumatic device and operable to create a vacuum therein; first control value means for selectively creating a vacuum in said pneumatic device; and third cam means positioned for selectively opening and closing said first control valve means.
 7. The improvement in claim 6, wherein said pneumatic system further comprises blower means positioned at said supply means adjacent said lowermost label for directing air thereagainst to aid the removal thereof; second control valve means for selectively directing air through said blower means; and fourth cam means positioned for selectively opening and closing said second control valve means.
 8. The improvement claimed in claim 1, wherein said feeding system means comprises a pair of counter-rotating conveyor belts having closely adjacent sections moving in said second direction from a first, label-receiving end of said sections toward a second, label-discharging end of said sections; and curved guide outlet means positioned adjacent said label-discharging end of said sections for receiving said labels therefrom and for aligning said labels with said containers. 